Today I rode the pro-fit pedals for the first time. Interesting. The pedals are about 2 mm wider, which is a good idea, and, as I'd said before, the finish is perfect. The pedals are super light, and I believe the best overall on the market. There is one obvious (once you start riding with them) problem though...at least for me. I'll get to that in a moment, but first a bit of history so you know where I'm coming from on this point.  I first started riding with toe-clips and straps with cleated shoes in 1965 and kept them until about 1992 when I finally switched to the original Look cleated pedals ( I had first tried a forerunner of the modern cleated pedal in 1974 using an old Cinelli proto-version...until I crashed in a Criterium where the outboard disengagement pin sheered off instead of depressing and I stayed locked in and tore the ligaments in my knee. I was once burned and twice shy.) I always liked the completely locked in feel of real tight straps with toeclips (but I was happy to give up the squeezed sensation across my arch when I switched to clipless pedals).

Anyway, I had been quite happy with the Look pedals, but always hoped an improved Campy version would come along. I even purchased a early version of the Campy clipless pedals through mail order. However, when they arrived, I sent them back immediately as they were way too "hefty" (As best I can remember, they seemed to be about twice the size and weight (or more) of the Record Pro-fits). Anyway, I got used to the Looks (and I deliberately avoided the super-light Speedplays, etc., as I like the larger platform of the Look style). I particularly liked the Look pedals without float (minimal wiggle). Furthermore, I never had any knee problems from the no-float pedals and no-float cleats. When I purchased my first set of Record Pro-fits (1999), I found them to be the perfect pedal for me, very light weight, but consistent with the Look style, Campy quality (except for only the cheaply painted finish!), and quite comfortable. My first pair even came with no-float cleats the way I like them. 

Things were a just a little bit different with the 2001 Pro-fit Plus. These pedals only came with "self-aligning PD-RE020" cleats, and not my preference, the "fixed RE021" cleats. That means, if you are like me, you have to shell out more cash for fixed ("without float") cleats. But, the big surprise came when I was riding the Pro-Fit Pluses on my usual 25 mile mountain loop. I immediately noticed that even with my no-float cleats, my shoes could swivel a bit on the pedals in a way that they never did on the 1999 models. While it may not be a big issue for most of Campy Only fans, it is nonetheless a fact, and a problem for those that don't like shoe swivel. After the ride, I tried to figure out why there was a difference, and a closer look at the two models gave me the answer. The old 1999 Pro-Fits have two cleat "stops" (one on each side of the back metal loop catch mechanism) while the new 2001 Pro-Fit Pluses only have one "stop" on the outboard side of the metal loop catch. This allowed for the inboard cleat swivel that I didn't expect (or appreciate). Just a "Heads -up" to those who prefer fixed cleats, and that fully "locked-in" feel. If you are like me, you might want to buy the old scratchy painted versions that don't allow swivel before they are no longer available (and while they are on closeout as well). The older Pro-Fits may be ugly, but for a truly "locked-in", "no-float" feel, they are the better set to get.

Oh, one more thing. I keep my release setting at, or very near, the minus (-) end and not the plus (+) end. Any other setting is almost impossible to release from.

That's it for now.
Ciao,
Frank